INITIATIVE TO PRESERVE GOLF COURSE ADVANCES

ESCONDIDO 
The county Registrar of Voters says residents trying to preserve the defunct Escondido Country Club golf course as open space submitted enough valid signatures for their initiative to move forward.

With the signatures validated, the City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday whether to adopt the initiative, place it on the November 2014 ballot, or delay its decision 30 days to study the measure’s economic impact.

The initiative seeks to block developer Michael Schlesinger from building a nearly 300-home subdivision on the 110-acre course in north Escondido. Schlesinger bought the course last year and closed it April 1, saying it could no longer be run profitably and that he planned to build housing there.

Nearby residents complained that housing would destroy the area’s natural green space. They started circulating petitions for a ballot initiative in May and submitted more than 7,000 signatures last month.

In June, Schlesinger filed suit against the city and the residents, claiming the measure is illegal and would violate his property rights. Two weeks ago, a judge denied Schlesinger’s request for a temporary restraining order to block the initiative.

Jerry Swadley, leader of the residents group, said Wednesday he was pleased the registrar validated the signatures and that dozens of residents planned to speak at next week’s council meeting.

Erica Holloway, a spokeswoman for Schlesinger, said the initiative could cost the city more than $100 million if Schlesinger’s lawsuit is successful.

“It amounts to nothing more than a taxpayer-funded bailout for Country Club members and residents with homes on the fairway,” she said.

Mayor Sam Abed said he was unsure how the council would proceed and is disappointed Schlesinger hasn’t proposed a compromise acceptable to residents.